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HCA 13/70 f.62v: Right click on image for full size image in separate window

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voyage from Scanderon and Cyprus met with in and about the moneth
of November last past weather soe fowle and stormie for the space
of eight and twenty dayes (or thereabouts) together, that albeit hee hath used
seafaring for theise 26 yeares, yet hee never met with the like and
of such continuance for stresse and violence, and that by meanes
of the said stressie weather the said ship the Chase shipt many
[?sayes] and received much water, and that whatsoever damage or
hurt is befallen to the lading of merchandize aboard her, came
and happened merely by occasion of the said stormes and stresse of
weather, and not by any insufficiencie of or in the said vessel or
any negelect or want of care in the master or any of his company,
who from time to time by all meanes they could use, did their
utmost to preserve the said merchandize from damage,
and further
did and performed all other duties of honest and carefull mariners.
All which hee knoweth being masters mate as aforesaid and going
all the said voyage in her and seeing the premises soe donne.
And otherwise hee cannot depose.

William harding [SIGNATURE, RH SIDE]

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The same day. [CENTRE HEADING]

Examined on the foresaid allegation.

Rp. 2

John Couch of Ratcliffe in the County of Middlesex
Mariner, Gunners mate of the said ship theChase aged 26 yeares or thereabouts sworne and
examined.

To the first article of the said allegation hee saith and deposeth
that if the merchandizes aboard the Chase laden for her
last homewards voyage were in good condition when they were put
aboard,
then whatsoever damage appeareth or is found in them came
and befell them by meanes of excessive stormie and stressie
weather which befell her in this her homewards voyage;
and not by any insufficiencie of the ship or neglect of or in the
master and company or of any of them, for hee saith that
her said homewards voyage in and about November last
betwixt Cape ffinis-terrre and the English lands end, shee
met with very stormie and stressie weather which continued
sometimes more and sometimes lesse violent for 28 dayes together
or thereabouts, in which space the said vessel by meanes thereof
shipt many seas and tooke in much water, notwithstanding
that the master and mariners quit themselves like honest and faithfull
men, and did their utmost endeavour (as hee saith they did) to
preserve the said goods from damage. And otherwise hee cannot depose